Agenda item

Bushra Jamil, Adviser, introduced the paper which set out an overview of the six guiding principles to realise economic inclusion in employment and skills, and the key tasks and roles that local government would undertake.

Members made the following comments:

• The importance of working in collaboration and the provision of training and support opportunities, was emphasised.
• The need for more data related to the costs associated with the lack of transport and connectivity across all areas of the country was expressed.
• A Member referenced regional disparities and expressed the need to invest in data to improve educational outcomes for young people in years to come.
• There was a view that economic inequality was often overlooked, and that a lack of social mobility and investment in transport meant a lack of opportunity.
• It was noted that four of the six Economic Inclusion Principles set out within the report stated, ‘Local Government may want to…’ as opposed to ‘Local Government will/shall…’. The need to make the wording stronger and clearer was emphasised.
• A Member felt that the document lacked discussion regarding communities, families, schools, the voluntary community space and social enterprise sector. The importance of investment into adult social care was highlighted.
• In relation to transport cost and connectivity, a Member expressed the need to reference all forms of public transport - trains  and  buses.
• A Member emphasised the importance of including neurodiversity as part of the economic inclusion work.
• In reference to Principle 1, a Member expressed the need to amplify the strategic plans being used to identify and target specific industries and sectors, which had the potential to create jobs and economic opportunities for individuals that may be excluded from the local economy.
• In reference to Principle 4, a Member emphasised the importance of councils and combined authorities proactively working in partnership to encourage local procurement, and requested that this be strengthened within the paper.
• A Member felt that there should be more emphasis within the paper on the effects that poor transport links, limited job opportunities and weak connectivity have on mental health.

Decision:

Members noted the report.

Actions:

·       Officers to invite Tracy Blackwell, Chair of the Purposeful Finance Commission and CEO of PIC, to the next Board meeting to discuss the Levelling-Up agenda, subject to approval from the new Board.

·       Officers to check legal history to see if the title wording of four of the six Principles could be strengthened and to update the Board.

·       Officers to progress collaborative work with the transport policy team to explore a) how transport challenges could be addressed, and b) how the cost of lack of transport connectivity could be quantified.

·       Officers to consider bringing a paper to a future meeting of the Board which focuses on collaboration and partnership working.